#whatsgoodalachuacounty

[love-elizabeth]

Did y’all know we have wild horses in Florida? 🐴 Throwback to my first solo camping trip. I’ve since been back here several times, and I haven’t seen the wild horses since this first visit, so I must have had some beginner’s luck! 📍Payne’s Prairie Preserve State Park: Visitor center, Observation tower, Wacahoota Trail, Puc Puggy campgroun, Lake Trail, Jackson’s Gap Trail 🦻Closed captions in comments👇 ☀️ 🏕 🌅

explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #alachua #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #whatsgoodalachuacounty #camping #tent #nature #naturelovers #getoutdoorsfl

@visitflorida @visitgainesville @fl.stateparks @alachuacounty @floridastateparksfoundation

[love-elizabeth]

La Dame aux Camélias (2022) 🌸 📸: @cruzcole_creative 🌸 ⛲️ 🌺 #explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #garden #alachua #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #whatsgoodalachuacounty #botanicalgardens #nature #naturelovers #getoutdoorsfl #kanapahabotanicalgardens #camellias @kanapahagardens @visitgainesville @visitflorida (at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/CiNRjxsOyUC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[love-elizabeth]

Just a little explorer in a big forest. 📸 🤠 🌳 #explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #alachua #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #forest #whatsgoodalachuacounty #nature #naturelovers #getoutdoorsfl #paynesprairie #paynesprairiepreservestatepark @visitflorida @visitgainesville (at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgnIjhDuj-w/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[love-elizabeth]

🚨BUTTERFLY BUTT TENTACLE!🚨 I’m finally editing photos from when I went to the @floridamuseum Butterfly Rainforest with @windforthesailboat_ , and I didn’t realize at the time that I witnessed a rice paper butterfly (Idea leuconoe) displaying its coremata!!!!! 🦋 The coremata is a hairy tentacle that protrudes from certain butterflies and moths while mating in order to release more pheromones. 👃🍆 🦋 Obviously, if I’d noticed this at the time, I would have tried to get an in-focus shot of that butterfly, but even so, the coremata is clearly visible! 🦋 If you want to have your mind blown, either watch the recent @thescishow YouTube video called “The Absolute Worst Thing About Butterflies” or google “tiger moth coremata” to see a species with four hairy tentacles that can be bigger than the rest of its body. 📸 🦋 🌿 #explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #whatsgoodalachuacounty #nature #naturelovers #ricepaperbutterfly #coremata #idealeuconoe #butterfly @visitgainesville @lovefl @visitflorida (at Butterfly Rainforest) https://www.instagram.com/p/CemBTeYu-LE/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[love-elizabeth]

Outlander, but make it Florida ☀️ In which I am exploring a forest and am drawn to an ancient tree surrounded by a circle of cypress knees. I touch the tree and am transported to the 1930s, where I make a home on a farm at Cross Creek just next door to Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. #vintagefashionnotvintagevalues 📸: @windforthesailboat_ (edit by me) 🌾 📖 🐓 #explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #crosscreek #alachua #marjoriekinnanrawlings #vintage #1930sdress #outlander #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #whatsgoodalachuacounty #farm #goldenhour #nature #sunset #spanishmoss #naturelovers #getoutdoorsfl (at Cross Creek, Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcmBdgkrydN/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[love-elizabeth]

January was a camping and state park month 🥰 🥾 Miles walked: 111.6 🚲 Miles cycled: 12.33 📍 Cities/towns visited: 9 Gainesville Kissimmee Bradenton Moore Haven West Palm Beach Okeechobee Titusville St Augustine Jacksonville 🏞 State parks visited: 8 @devilsmillhopper Payne’s Prairie @friendsofpaynesprairie Okeechobee Battlefield Myakka River @friendsofmyakkariver @anastasiastatepark Big Talbot Amelia Island @fortclinch ⛺️ Campgrounds visited: 5 Payne’s Prairie Moore Haven @kampgroundsofamerica Lion County West Palm Beach KOA @bradentonkoa Anastasia State Park 🌴 Other cool places I went: @hypatiabus @kanapahagardens @treeumph Palma Sola Botanical Park, Bradenton Celery Fields, Sarasota Enchanted Forest Sanctuary, Titusville on a field trip with @flawildflowers 🗓 Bring on February! 🌸 ⛲️ 🌺 #explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #camping #alachua #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #beach #anastasiastatepark #staugustine #whatsgoodalachuacounty #nature #naturelovers #getoutdoorsfl @fl.stateparks (at Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZcCqtwr3ya/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[love-elizabeth]

I own 3 fancy cameras and somehow it seems like I only ever post pics I take on my phone 😂 Here’s a photo dump of the first photo adventure I took my new-to-me @fujifilmx_us mirrorless camera on earlier this month. 📸 @bhphoto had a great deal on a secondhand body and lens that I couldn’t resist 😍 🌸 ⛲️ 🌺 #explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #garden #alachua #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #fujifilm #whatsgoodalachuacounty #botanicalgardens #nature #naturelovers #getoutdoorsfl (at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZLDgZ6Le7h/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[love-elizabeth]

Swipe to see the pic I was trying to recreate. (I keep laughing bc I feel like the angle of the pics just makes it look like I got taller 😂) 🏕 First pic is from last weekend’s camping trip, and the second pic is from the last time I used this tent, 6 years ago, at Greenbelt National Park outside DC. On that trip, I had tree roots digging into my back all week, and I was so sore that I swore I’d never camp again. 🙅‍♀️⛺️ But then like half a year ago, it occurred to me that I could get a blow-up mattress, and that was a game changer. I was so comfy last weekend, and now I’m actually looking forward to sleeping in my tent all over Florida as I enjoy the best time of year to be outdoors in the sunshine state! ☀️ 🏕 🌅 #explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #alachua #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #spider #whatsgoodalachuacounty #camping #tent #nature #naturelovers #getoutdoorsfl (at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYhSuHIrN28/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[love-elizabeth]

Gainesville Diaries 🌱 Day 4/4 I woke up shivering to the sound of wind and heavy rain pelting my tent. The last time I’d used this tent, it had rained and everything inside got soaked, but I felt around and everything seemed to be dry. I was grateful, because it was dangerously cold for a Floridian with so few layers. I grabbed the long-sleeved shirt and sweatpants that I’d brought in and layered them on top of the tshirt and shorts I’d gone to bed wearing. When I peaked at the weather, it said it was 43° and there was a wind advisory in effect. I burrowed myself deep into my sleeping bag and tried my best to sleep through the rest of the night, although I woke up shivering several more times. 🥾 Instead of waking up for a sunrise hike like I’d previously planned, I ended up snoozing all morning, reluctant to leave my cocoon and venture into the cold world. Finally, I dragged myself out of the tent at 9:30 and quickly got ready so that I could go explore some more! 🥾 This was my biggest day of hiking. Once again, I hiked along the lake trail, this time walking the entire length until it led to Jackson’s Gap trail. I followed that path to the visitor center and climbed the observation tower again to get a look at the prairie. There were animals in the distance, but they were too far away for me to tell whether they were horses or bison. 🥾 However, I did get a good look at my spider friend from the previous day. I was surprised to see she was in the same spot as before, thinking the storm might have forced her to move elsewhere. This time, I got a spider selfie I was pretty happy with! 🥾 At this point, it was time to hike back to my campsite, pack up my tent, and head back to Kissimmee. There is still so much I want to explore at Payne’s Prairie, so I hope it’s not too much longer until I’m sleeping under the stars there again! 🕸 ⛺️ 🕷 #explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #alachua #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #spider #whatsgoodalachuacounty #camping #tent #nature #naturelovers #getoutdoorsfl (at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYaFxfxrvfC/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[love-elizabeth]

Gainesville Diaries 🌱 Day 3, part 3/3 With about 2 hours left of daylight, I decided to hike the nearby lake trail. I didn’t make it too far because I kept stopping to take photos and admire the scenery, which was gorgeous as the sun set. I saw an armadillo and a TON of birds! 🏕 I got back to the campgrounds just as it was starting to get dark. After showering, I emerged back outside into almost total darkness. I hadn’t realized there would be absolutely no lights in the campgrounds, but then it made perfect sense because I looked up and the stars were SO BRIGHT!!! 🏕 It wasn’t quite bedtime yet, so I got out my laptop and stayed in my van to do a little work before eventually bringing my sleeping bag, camping mat, and pillow to my tent and drifting off to sleep. Fortunately, I also brought some warmer clothes in case I woke up cold, which ended up being very necessary due to the unexpected storm that would blow in during the night! 🌬 ➡️To be continued! 🌌 🏕 🌅 #explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #alachua #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #spider #whatsgoodalachuacounty #camping #tent #nature #naturelovers #getoutdoorsfl (at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYZakWjr4K2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[love-elizabeth]

Gainesville Diaries 🌱 Day 3, part 2/3 At the bottom of the observation tower was a short loop trail where I observed a lot of red lichen. (I learned about it recently and naturally have been seeing it everywhere now!) 🏕 On my way back through the visitor center, I found myself asking the employee at the desk if I could make a camping reservation there. She told me that I could make one at the ranger station at the front of the park, so I headed back to the parking lot, checking the weather forecast as I walked to confirm that it would be decent for camping—clear skies all night and a low of 60°. Perfect! 😉 🏕 As I walked back to the parking lot, I was surprised to see a golden silk orb weaver spider on the side of the path. As I pulled out my phone to take some photos, a leaf fell into her web. I tried to remove it, but she won that tug-of-war game, thinking the leaf was food. A family came by and I answered some of their questions about the spider. I was so happy when one of them asked if I was an entomologist! 🥰 🏕 Back at the ranger station, I learned that there were 3 tent sites available, and I was able to choose one right by the restrooms. Once I’d booked my site, I made a run to the nearest Publix for more picnic food, since I hadn’t planned to be out adventuring for this long. 🏕 With enough rations for the next 24 hours, I found my site and pulled out the tent that I have had for 6 years, using it once when I first got it and then never again. A few months ago, I’d put it in my van just in case I ever wanted to have a spontaneous camping trip. I’d felt that moment might be coming as I’ve delved deeper into my love for nature. And now it was time to figure out how to assemble that tent on my own! It was pretty straightforward, but I felt so proud of myself for doing the thing all by myself! ➡️To be continued! 🌌 🏕 🌅 #explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #alachua #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #spider #whatsgoodalachuacounty #camping #tent #nature #naturelovers #getoutdoorsfl (at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYY_Q4Mrx84/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[love-elizabeth]

Gainesville Diaries 🌱 Day 3, part 1/3 This was supposed to be the last day of my trip, buuuut sometimes plans change! 🐴 After checking out from @hypatiabus I made the short drive to Payne’s Prairie. This has been a wishlist destination for ages because of the wild horses and bison that live there. I tried not to get my hopes too high, since this would just be a short visit and I didn’t know how good my chances were of seeing either of them. 🐴 Once at the state park, I ended up driving through the campgrounds and felt a slight pang of envy for the campers. How lovely to be staying out in the midst of the natural scenery! I was glad I hadn’t been able to get a campsite here on Fri/Sat since it led to me looking for other options and finding the awesome bus on Airbnb, but I knew I’d want to camp here sometime in the future. 🐴 Then, I made my way to the visitor center. They had a big picture window with a view straight out onto the prairie. Without looking too closely out the window, I went straight to the telescope that was pointed at the prairie. When I saw a closeup photo of a horse, I thought this was one of those gimmicky things that lets you put in different pictures to look at through a lens. But then THE HORSE MOVED! And I looked up and squinted out the window to see several horses in the distance! They were real! 🐴 Just outside the visitor center is an observation tower, where I climbed to get a good vantage point of the prairie, on which there were both wild horses and bison in view! (BRB saving up for a longer telephoto lens!) After speaking to a few people, it seems like I was pretty lucky to have seen both so easily! ➡️To be continued! 🌴 🚌 🌺 #explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #alachua #stateparks #floridastateparks #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #whatsgoodalachuacounty #wildhorses #bison #horses #prairie #nature #naturelovers #paynesprairiepreservestatepark #paynesprairie #getoutdoorsfl (at Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYXT5o6PYG3/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[love-elizabeth]

Gainesville Diaries 🌱 Day 2/4 I drive through Gainesville several times a year on road trips and have been saying for ages that someday I would stop and do more than just enjoy the vegan food options and stretch my legs at Kanapaha gardens as I pass through the city. This was the weekend it finally happened! 📸 On Saturday, @cruzcole_creative joined me for some photography adventures. I was excited to try out the new (secondhand) mirrorless camera I’d just gotten and to shoot with a new photography buddy. 📸 Our first stop was Publix to grab some picnic food, and then we were on our way to @devilsmillhopper Geological State Park. The park was fairly small, but we enjoyed hiking around the rim of the sinkhole and then climbing down the 200ish stairs into it. After seeing everything, we went back to the shelter house to have a picnic and snap some selfies. 📸 Next up was @kanapahagardens (I have definitely gotten my money’s worth out of my membership there!) We both got so many great shots and stayed up until the park closed at sunset. 📸 Since @hypatiabus had a perfect little work setup, Jonathan came back for a little bit before he headed out, so that we could compare our photo processing workflows. It’s been ages since I’ve shot with another photographer, and I was grateful for the exchange of knowledge! ➡️To be continued! 🚌 🐢 🌺 #explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #garden #alachua #stateparks #floridastateparks #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #whatsgoodalachuacounty #botanicalgardens #nature #naturelovers #getoutdoorsfl (at Devils Millhopper Geological State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYWb2VQL7g5/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[love-elizabeth]

Gainesville Diaries 🌱 Day 1/4 This trip came together so last minute, and it ended up being absolutely amazing! 🌸 On Friday, I drove up to Gainesville and used my membership to wander around @kanapahagardens until it was time to check into the @hypatiabus the converted school bus. (If one of your goals is to spend more time outdoors, I highly recommend purchasing a membership to your local botanical garden!) 🌸 It was my first day alone for weeks, so once I was in the bus, I ordered in some dinner and used my time to catch up on some reading, journal a little bit, and watch the rest of Ted Lasso. Even though it was New Year’s Eve, I was asleep by 10 and slept right through midnight 😅😴 ➡️To be continued! 🎆 🚌 🎇 #explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #garden #alachua #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #whatsgoodalachuacounty #botanicalgardens #nature #naturelovers #getoutdoorsfl (at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYVF-RqMIPW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[love-elizabeth]

Yesterday my doctor told me he thinks I’m in the clear with Lyme disease since I finished the course of antibiotics, but then today I woke up feeling awful and tested positive for Covid 🙃 Using this bedrest as an excuse to blaze through my TBR—currently on a Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings kick, so here are some pics from the last time I visited her house. 📸: @windforthesailboat_ 👗: @goodwillmanasota 👟: @goodwillcfl 🦠 📖 📚 #explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #crosscreek #alachua #historichome #history #bookstagram #theyearling #marjoriekinnanrawlings #vintage #1930sdress #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #whatsgoodalachuacounty #getoutdoorsfl @fl.stateparks @visitflorida @visitgainesville (at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgVD7tfOlPb/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[love-elizabeth]

Finally processing the pics and vids I took from my adventures back in January, oops. This was also an adventure that @cruzcole_creative joined me for! 🌱 🥾 🌳 #explorida #roamflorida #florida #flstofmind #floridaliving #gainesville #florida_greatshots #fun_in_florida #LoveFL #sinkhole #naturalhistory #alachua #alachuacounty #visitgainesville #whyilovegnv #whatsgoodalachuacounty #nature #naturelovers #getoutdoorsfl @fl.stateparks @lovefl @visitgainesville @devilsmillhopper @floridastateparksfoundation